amount of live rock

Jimbos11 · 09/05/2011, 06:33 PM

I have a new 65gl that I am setting up. My preference is to have a minimalist aquascape. How much live rock can I get away with? Currently, I have 20lbs of live rock in the tank and 45 lbs of brs dry rock on the way.

Thanks,
Jim

Damsels01 · 09/05/2011, 06:35 PM

Most people recommend 1-2 pounds per gallon which will be good....just remember it will way a lot....make sure you have proper support

Sinclair81 · 09/05/2011, 06:41 PM

Jim, I think that is a loaded question, it will depend on the bio load you plan/want to have. Essentially live rock acts as a filter, the bigger the bioload the more live rock, but the 20lbs you have and the 45lbs from BRS, I believe you should be fine. Keep in mind as you add coral, they too will be attached to rock and that will add to it. Also if you are going to add a sand bed that also helps! By the way welcome! Banner Elk is up there!
Jim

Jimbos11 · 09/05/2011, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the info. I forgot that I also have 100lbs of live sand in the tank. I am not sure I want to put all of the 45 lbs in. Based on what is in it now, I may only want to put maybe 30 more lbs in it. As far as fish go, I really like clown fish so I would like to have a pair but don't want a ton of fish. I like a more natural look. Sinclair81, I see you are from Charlotte. Do you get up to BE any?

Sinclair81 · 09/05/2011, 09:48 PM

Jim, yea I been to BE a few times, I am actually a transplant from Salt Lake City, UT and love the mountains, pretty place you got up there, I am just too much of a city slicker and love the convenience of the city. Where are going to go to get your livestock from?

Jimbos11 · 09/06/2011, 06:19 AM

We love the cool summertime and are avid skiers. However, I also miss having a starbucks or more than 3-4 places to have dinner. There is a place in Asheville that is supposed to be good and Reef Magic in Boone. More than likely I will go to Asheville.

Ron Reefman · 09/06/2011, 06:57 AM

Jim, are you going to be running a sump? If not, you might consider it as you could keep most of your LR in the sump. As Jim (in Charlotte) suggested, bio-load is the issue. But I think you can run a great tank with less than the 1lbs/gallon ratio that seems to be the current normal minimum. You just need to be careful. After all, people do fish only tanks, and look at how much LR they use... oh, that's right, none!

Sinclair81 · 10/08/2011, 06:06 PM

Any updates? Got a build thread going?

09/05/2011, 06:33 PM	#1
Jimbos11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Banner Elk NC Posts: 47	amount of live rock I have a new 65gl that I am setting up. My preference is to have a minimalist aquascape. How much live rock can I get away with? Currently, I have 20lbs of live rock in the tank and 45 lbs of brs dry rock on the way. Thanks, Jim

09/06/2011, 06:57 AM	#7
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Jim, are you going to be running a sump? If not, you might consider it as you could keep most of your LR in the sump. As Jim (in Charlotte) suggested, bio-load is the issue. But I think you can run a great tank with less than the 1lbs/gallon ratio that seems to be the current normal minimum. You just need to be careful. After all, people do fish only tanks, and look at how much LR they use... oh, that's right, none! __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

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09/05/2011, 06:35 PM	#2
Damsels01 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 74	Most people recommend 1-2 pounds per gallon which will be good....just remember it will way a lot....make sure you have proper support

09/05/2011, 06:41 PM	#3
Sinclair81 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 264	Jim, I think that is a loaded question, it will depend on the bio load you plan/want to have. Essentially live rock acts as a filter, the bigger the bioload the more live rock, but the 20lbs you have and the 45lbs from BRS, I believe you should be fine. Keep in mind as you add coral, they too will be attached to rock and that will add to it. Also if you are going to add a sand bed that also helps! By the way welcome! Banner Elk is up there! Jim

09/05/2011, 06:53 PM	#4
Jimbos11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Banner Elk NC Posts: 47	Thanks for the info. I forgot that I also have 100lbs of live sand in the tank. I am not sure I want to put all of the 45 lbs in. Based on what is in it now, I may only want to put maybe 30 more lbs in it. As far as fish go, I really like clown fish so I would like to have a pair but don't want a ton of fish. I like a more natural look. Sinclair81, I see you are from Charlotte. Do you get up to BE any?

09/05/2011, 09:48 PM	#5
Sinclair81 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 264	Jim, yea I been to BE a few times, I am actually a transplant from Salt Lake City, UT and love the mountains, pretty place you got up there, I am just too much of a city slicker and love the convenience of the city. Where are going to go to get your livestock from?

09/06/2011, 06:19 AM	#6
Jimbos11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Banner Elk NC Posts: 47	We love the cool summertime and are avid skiers. However, I also miss having a starbucks or more than 3-4 places to have dinner. There is a place in Asheville that is supposed to be good and Reef Magic in Boone. More than likely I will go to Asheville.

10/08/2011, 06:06 PM	#8
Sinclair81 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 264	Any updates? Got a build thread going?